It's easy for me to remember, because I gave birth to my youngest child on April 16, 1995. She had a blood disorder and had to stay in hospital, but I was discharged on April 18 because my insurance wouldn't pay for more than 48 hours. OTOH, I wasn't leaving her and wasn't going to let them feed her formula, so I stuck around the hospital (Maternity nurse: "You can't spend the night on a hard chair two days after you gave birth" Me: "I don't see that you're giving me any feasible alternative").

So there I was on April 19, hormonal and sleep-deprived and crying my eyes out while I read the paper. If I close my eyes I can still see the picture of the firefighter with the dead baby in his arms. It seemed so huge an act of terrorism.

On April 19, 2002 when I read the anniversary stuff I thought they were a bunch of whiners to be complaining about such a minor incident. I don't believe that. I don't think I even really believed it then, but it was truly my off-the-cuff reaction. That just goes to show how recent events had warped my viewpoint. I think I have more perspective now.

I wish peace and consolation to the survivors of those who died in Oklahoma City 10 years ago today.